Botswana’s President elect Duma Boko, has been sworn in the country’s new president bringing an end to the former ruling party's 58 years in power.
Duma Boko, who contested under for the presidency under the Umbrella for Democratic Change party, a coalition of Botswana National Front and the Alliance for Progressives won 36 parliamentary seats and denied former president Mokgweetsi Masisi a second term.
In his first official speech as president, Boko described the change of government in Botswana as a historic moment stressing the need to avoid disputes and personal rifts.
He said expressed love for his countrymen and for deeming him fit for the leadership of the country.
It could be recalled that during campaigns, his party promised to fight corruption and introduce a minimum wage of 4,000 Pula ($302) per month, unemployment allowance and to increase old age benefits and build new enterprises.
A recent Afrobarometer survey shows that unemployment is the most pressing concern for citizens, far surpassing other issues such as health, crime, poverty, education and corruption.
Official statistics show that unemployment has increased to 27.6% in 2024 from 25.9% in 2023.